Congress wants a ban on PM's Mann ki Baat during polls

The Congress and its allies in Bihar urged the Election Commission to ban Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mann ki Baat radio programme, saying it would violate the poll code.

After EC sources were quoted in various media reports as saying that there could not be “blanket ban” on such programmes and that it would “monitor” the content of PM’s programme, the poll panel cleared the air saying no final view had been taken in the matter.

“The commission has not taken any decision on the complaint of the Congress and its allies. As and when the commission takes a decision, it will be made public on its website,” EC spokesperson Rajesh Malhotra told Mail Today.

Mann ki Baat is a regular radio broadcast in which the PM shares his thoughts on issues. The next episode will be aired on Sunday.

Sources said the poll panel takes cognisance of such complaints after a speech has been made and reviews recordings to ascertain if the model code has been violated.

A similar complaint was made by the Congress against the radio programme during the Haryana Assembly polls, but the EC had not found anything objectionable.

In the memorandum signed by JD-U leaders Pawan Varma and KC Tyagi and RJD leader Manoj Jha, Congress communication department chief Randeep Surjewala said the programme will give unfair advantage to the BJP.